Downtown in Pittsburgh in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Steamboat "New Orleans"

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, October 15, 2011

1. Steamboat "New Orleans" Marker

Immediately after being uncovered for its dedication

Inscription. The first steam boat built west of the Alleghenies, the "New Orleans" was launched Oct. 15, 1811, near this site at Suke's Run. Pittsburgh became a center for steamboat construction and a gateway for 19th-century westward expansion.

Erected 2011 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and The Senator John Heinz History Center.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1811.

Location. 40° 26.134′ N, 79° 59.775′ W. Marker is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of First Avenue and Try Street, on the right when traveling east on First Avenue. Located near the entrance to parking garage on First Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pittsburgh PA 15219, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lewis and Clark "Voyage of Discovery," 1803-1806 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pittsburgh Chinatown (about 700 feet away); Founding of the Ironworkers Union (about 700 feet away); The First Baptist Church of Pittsburgh

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); United Steelworkers of America (approx. 0.2 miles away); County Office Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Duquesne University (approx. 0.2 miles away); Civil War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pittsburgh.

More about this marker. My wife and I attended the dedication, it was interesting to see a marker for the first time. Members of the Senator John Heinz History Center (Natalie DeRiso, Robert Stakeley, and Sandra Smith) unveiled the marker to a (very) small audience.

Regarding Steamboat "New Orleans". Coincidentally, the "New Orleans" was launched from the shore of the Monongahela River on this date exactly 200 years ago.

Also see . . .
1. Senator John Heinz History Center. (Submitted on October 15, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
2. 1811 Year of Miracles. Indiana Bicentennial 1811-1815 (Submitted on October 15, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, October 15, 2011

2. Steamboat "New Orleans" Marker

Being uncovered for its dedication

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, October 15, 2011

3. Steamboat "New Orleans" Marker

Prior to the dedication, still covered with plastic.

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, October 15, 2011

4. Steamboat "New Orleans" Marker

Heinz History Center Educator and Archivist Robert Stakeley, removes plastic cover and places form-fitted official PHMC cover over marker for dedication ceremony.

Steamboat "New Orleans" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Unknown

5. Steamboat "New Orleans"

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, October 15, 2011

6. Steamboat "New Orleans"

Approximate area where boat was originally launched

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel

7. Steamboat "New Orleans"

Pamphlet distributed by the Heinz History Center at the dedication ceremony.

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel

8. Steamboat "New Orleans"

Pamphlet distributed by the Heinz History Center at the dedication ceremony.

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, October 27, 2012

9. Steamboat "New Orleans"

This inscription is on a concrete light-up kiosk rebuilt on Ohio River Boulevard (PA 65) in Emsworth.
The first Ohio River Steamboat New Orleans was built at Pittsburgh in 1810-11, and sailed down the river on its maiden trip October 20, 1811.

Steamboat "New Orleans" Inscription image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, October 27, 2012

10. Steamboat "New Orleans" Inscription

The concrete light-up kiosk rebuilt on Ohio River Boulevard (PA 65) in Emsworth.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 877 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 15, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 7, 8. submitted on October 17, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 9, 10. submitted on October 27, 2012, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.